Reactions of Some Varieties of Pearlmillet, Pennisetum glaucum (Linn.) R. Br. emend Stuntz. to Rice Moth, Corcyra cephalonica Staint.

Ten varieties of pearlmillet (RHB-173, RHB-177, MPMH-17, HHB-67, Pro Agro-9450, Pro Agro-9001, Pioneer 86 m 86, Pioneer 86 m 84, Pioneer 86 m 38 and Raj-171.) were evaluated for reaction to Corcyra cephalonica Staint. in the laboratory conditions. The adult emergence (F1), weight losses and susceptibility index in these varieties were ranged from 9.33-32.00, 10.44–31.69% and 2.77–6.82, respectively, the minimum in Pioneer 86 m 86 and maximum in Raj-171; other varieties were in the middle order. The seed damage recorded in different varieties ranged from 23.67–75.84%, the minimum in Pioneer 86 m 86 (23.67%), Pro Agro-9450 (25.55%) and Pro Agro-9001 (28.33%), these treatments were found at par each other. The Raj-171 was found to be badly infested (75.84% grain damage) which differed significantly over other varieties. The developmental period of the pest varied from 50.88–80.61 days in different varieties, minimum being in Raj-171 and maximum in Pioneer 86 m 86.

Developing a Predictive Model for Plasmodium knowlesi–Susceptible Areas in Malaysia Using Geospatial Data and Artificial Neural Networks

Plasmodium knowlesi is an emerging species for malaria in Malaysia, particularly in East Malaysia. This infection contributes to almost half of all malaria cases and deaths in Malaysia and poses a challenge in eradicating malaria. The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model for P. knowlesi susceptibility areas in Sabah, Malaysia, using geospatial data and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Weekly malaria cases from 2013 to 2014 were used to identify the malaria hotspot areas. The association of malaria cases with environmental factors (elevation, water bodies, and population density, and satellite images providing rainfall, land surface temperature, and normalized difference vegetation indices) were statistically determined. The significant environmental factors were used as input for the ANN analysis to predict malaria cases. Finally, the malaria susceptibility index and zones were mapped out. The results suggested integrating geospatial data and ANNs to predict malaria cases, with overall correlation coefficient of 0.70 and overall accuracy of 91.04%. From the malaria susceptibility index and zoning analyses, it was found that areas located along the Crocker Range of Sabah and the East part of Sabah were highly susceptible to P. knowlesi infections. Following this analysis, targetted entomological mapping and malaria control programs can be initiated.

Modeling the Level of User Frustration for the Impaired Telemeeting Service Using User Frustration Susceptibility Index (UFSI)

Modern users are accustomed to always-accessible networks ready to serve all of their communication, entertainment, information, and other needs, at the touch of their devices. Spoiled with choices provided on the competitive markets, the risk of customer churn makes network and service providers sensitive to user Quality of Experience (QoE). Services that enable people to work and industries to function in these pandemic times, such as the telemeeting service, are becoming ever more critical, not just for the end-users but also for the providers. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of end-users network environments and the uniqueness of the service (bidirectional video and audio transmissions and interactivity between the meeting peers) imposes specific QoE requirements. Hence, this paper focuses on understanding how different service quality degradations affect user perception and frustration with such impaired service. The impact of eight quality degradations was analyzed. Based on the conducted user study, we used the multiple regression analysis and developed three models capable of predicting user Level of Frustration (LoF) for the specific degradations that we have analyzed. The models work with the User Frustration Susceptibility Index (UFSI), which categorizes users into groups based on their tendency to become frustrated with the impaired service.

Reactions of Some Varieties of Pearlmillet, Pennisetum glaucum (Linn.) R. Br. emend Stuntz. to Rice Moth, Corcyra cephalonica Staint

Ten varieties of pearlmillet (RHB-173, RHB-177, MPMH-17, HHB-67, Pro Agro-9450, Pro Agro-9001, Pioneer 86 m 86, Pioneer 86 m 84, Pioneer 86 m 38 and Raj-171.) were evaluated for reaction to Corcyra cephalonica Staint. in the laboratory conditions. The adult emergence (F1), weight losses and susceptibility index in these varieties were ranged from 9.33-32.00, 10.44-31.69% and 2.77-6.82, respectively, the minimum in Pioneer 86 m 86 and maximum in Raj-171; other varieties were in the middle order. The seed damage recorded in different varieties ranged from 23.67-75.84%, the minimum in Pioneer 86 m 86 (23.67%), Pro Agro-9450 (25.55%) and Pro Agro-9001 (28.33%), these treatments were found at par each other. The Raj-171 was found to be badly infested (75.84% grain damage) which differed significantly over other varieties. The developmental period of the pest varied from 50.88-80.61 days in different varieties, minimum being in Raj-171 and maximum in Pioneer 86 m 86.

Contribution of a Geographic Information System to Assess the Vulnerability to Groundwater Pollution of the Free Water Table from the Oued Souf Region (South-East Algeria)

The Oued Souf free aquifer located in the South East of Algeria represents the main water resource used mostly for urban and agricultural activities. The intensive use of chemical fertilizers has led to serious environmental problems such as contamination of the free aquifer in the region. Thus, aquifer vulnerability has been assessed using several different methods (DRASTIC, GOD, and the Susceptibility Index ‘SI’) based on a geographic information system (GIS). For each method, two vulnerability maps have been developed in the years 2002 and 2012. These maps show that the study area is more exposed to urban, and especially agricultural, pollution. Two classes of vulnerability (moderate and high) have been identified by both DRASTIC and GOD methods. A combined analysis reveals that the moderate class showing 48% (for the GOD method), and the high class showing 57% (for the DRASTIC method) are the most dominant. However, the Susceptibility Index method (SI) revealed that the vulnerability varies from moderate to very high-level classes. In 2012, about of 53% of the study area was dominated by moderate vulnerability classes. The high vulnerability class also includes a considerable part of the land (41%) around urban or strongly agricultural areas, while only 6% is under very high vulnerability groundwater contamination. In addition, a marked decrease in the vulnerability level was noticed in 2012 compared to 2002. This decrease is mainly due to the lowering of the water table after the installation of a vertical drainage network to evacuate the surplus water to the depression and Chotts areas in the North of the region. These results provide a guide for decision-makers involved in the protection of groundwater pollution in such a vulnerable area.